If you are a fan of Nigerian music, you have probably heard of King Sunny Ade, the legendary singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who popularized juju music around the world. Juju music is a fusion of traditional Yoruba vocal forms and percussion with Western rock and roll, and King Sunny Ade is widely regarded as one of its pioneers and masters.
Birth
King Sunny Ade was born on September 22, 1946 in Oshogbo, Nigeria, into a royal family of the Yoruba people. His father was a church organist and his mother was a trader.
Career
He started his musical career in Lagos in the 1960s, playing highlife, a type of urban dance music that originated in Ghana. He soon switched to juju music, which was more expressive of the urban Yoruba working class culture. He formed his own band, the Green Spots, in 1967, which he later renamed the African Beats.
King Sunny Ade’s music was influenced by juju pioneer Tunde Nightingale, who introduced the use of Yoruba “talking” drums that mimic the tones of the Yoruba language. King Sunny Ade also added a rich tapestry of guitar voices that blended with the rhythmic and melodic colours of rock and roll. His early albums with the African Beats, such as Sound Vibration (1977) and The Royal Sound (1979), were huge successes in Nigeria, and he was crowned the King of Juju by the press in 1977.
In 1982, King Sunny Ade signed with Island Records, a major international label that had previously launched the careers of Bob Marley and U2. His album Juju Music (1982) was a breakthrough in the global music scene, introducing juju music to a wider audience. The album was followed by Synchro System (1983), which earned him a Grammy nomination, the first for a Nigerian artist. His music was praised by critics and fans alike for its infectious rhythms, complex arrangements, and lyrical themes that ranged from love and politics to praise and social commentary.
King Sunny Ade has continued to record and perform juju music for over five decades, releasing more than 100 albums and collaborating with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Manu Dibango, Youssou N’Dour, and Wasiu Ayinde Marshall. He has also received numerous awards and honors, including the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an honorary doctorate from Obafemi Awolowo University, where he is also a visiting lecturer, and another Grammy nomination for his album Odu (1998). He is also the founder of the King Sunny Ade Foundation, an organization that supports young musicians and promotes Nigerian culture.
Personal Life
King Sunny Ade is married and has children. He is a devout Christian and has been actively involved in church activities throughout his life.
Cars and House
King Sunny Ade is known to be a lover of luxury cars. He owns a lot of cars, including a Rolls-Royce and Range Rover. He also owns a luxurious mansion in the upscale area of Victoria Island in Lagos, Nigeria.
Net Worth
As of 2024, King Sunny Ade’s net worth is estimated to be:
• USD 11 Million
• NGN 4.4 Billion
• CAD 14.2 Million
• GHS 64 Million
• KES 1.2 Billion
• ZAR 160 Million
• UGX 40 Billion
INR 810 Million
King Sunny Ade has amassed his wealth through a successful music career, coupled with earnings from endorsements and investments in diverse business ventures. Beyond his financial success, he is renowned for his philanthropic efforts, actively contributing to various causes within Nigeria and across the African continent.
King Sunny Ade is not only a king by birth, but also by merit. He is one of the most influential musicians of all time, and a cultural ambassador for Nigeria and Africa. He is the King of Juju Music.